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Multiple species of obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Chlamydia are important veterinary and/or human pathogens. These pathogens all share similar biphasic developmental cycles and transition between intracellular vegetative reticulate bodies and infectious elementary forms, but vary substantially in their host preferences and pathogenic potential. A lack of tools for genetic engineering of these organisms has long been an impediment to the study of their biology and pathogenesis. However, the refinement of approaches developed in C. trachomatis over the last 10 years, and adaptation of some of these approaches to other Chlamydia spp. in just the last few years, has opened exciting new possibilities for studying this ubiquitous group of important pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eighteen genovars of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) based on the Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) have been characterized and are grouped into trachoma (A-C), urogenital (DK), and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV, L1-L3) genovars. Genovar identification is rarely performed on clinical urogenital CT infections as the results rarely impact treatment decisions. As a result, little is known about how the CT genovar distribution changes over time. As CT-specific immunity is often genovar-specific, understanding the genovar distribution has important implications for vaccine development and immunological studies that challenge with MOMP antigens or live CT organisms. However, no recent data on the prevalence and genotype distribution of CT infections exists. Whether the CT genovar distribution (1) differs in heterosexual men compared to women or (2) significantly changes over time remains unclear. Methods: Within the Idiopathic Urethritis Men's Project (IUMP), we identified heterosexual men who presented to the Bell Flower sexually transmitted infection clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana, with CTassociated acute nongonococcal urethritis (CT-NGU) between 2016-2020. CT serovar identification was performed by ompA-based sequencing and genotyping. IUMP genovar data was compared to a prior study of CT genovar distribution in adolescent heterosexual women from Indianapolis between 1999-2005. Significance was evaluated by Mann- Whitney. Results: Genovars from 103 heterosexual men with CT-NGU are included in this analysis and are compared to 262 CT-infected women from the Young Women's Project (Batteiger et al, Sex Transm Dis, 2010). In both groups, the two most common genovars were E (28-32%) and D (20-26%). Genovars F (10-13%), J/Ja (8-15%), and I/Ia (11-15%) were the next most common. Genovars B, G, H, and K were infrequent; one L genovar was detected. No statistically significant difference was found when comparing the genovar distribution by cohort. Conclusions: The distribution of CT genovars appears to be remarkably stable within heterosexual sexual networks across time. When considering multivalent MOMP antigens for vaccine inclusion or when eliciting CT-specific responses in immunological studies, challenge studies using MOMP antigens or CT organisms should prioritize serovars D and E, and perhaps I/Ia, F, and J/Ja. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is a common reason men seek care and are treated with antibiotics but the etiology of half or more of these cases is unclear. The goal of our study was to investigate the etiology of idiopathic urethritis (IU) in men. Methods: In a case control study of men with NGU (Idiopathic Urethritis Men's Project, IUMP), we identified 108 asymptomatic controls without urethral inflammation who were NAAT-negative for 4 common NGU pathogens and 99 IU cases who tested negative for the same pathogens but reported symptoms of urethritis and had objective evidence of urethral inflammation. Microorganisms in urethral specimens from the men were identified using deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing, quantitative PCR, culture, and genome resequencing. Anti-chlamydial urinary antibodies were quantified by ELISA. Results: Compared to controls, sequences from 4 microorganisms (Mycoplasma penetrans, Haemophilus influenzae, Adenovirus, and HSV) were significantly more prevalent in IU cases, although Adenovirus and HSV were only enriched using one of two evaluated thresholds. Collectively, these microorganisms were only detected in 30% (30/99) of IU cases at any threshold. In contrast, the complete absence of microorganism sequences was more prevalent in IU cases (60%, 60/99) compared to controls (17%, 18/108) when sequencing depth was normalized based on the number of human sequences in the individual specimens. The prevalence of anti-chlamydial antibodies was higher in pathogen-negative IU cases compared to controls and was more similar to a separate group of 30 men with chlamydial NGU who were enrolled according to the same criteria within IUMP. Conclusions: Emerging and atypical NGU pathogens are significantly associated with IU, but only account for less than half of IU cases. Compared to controls, men with IU were more likely to have a sparse or absent urethral microbiota and an increased proportion of anti-chlamydial antibodies. We hypothesize that some pathogen-negative IU cases reflect persistent inflammation following spontaneous clearance of urethral infections. As antibiotics would not be indicated for pathogennegative men with IU, natural history and dyad studies are needed to determine the optimal management of men with IU and their sexual partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular pathogens that rely on secreted effector proteins to establish their intracellular niche. In this issue of the Journal of Bacteriology, Yanatori et al. describe a screen for Chlamydia pneumoniae effectors, performed in Chlamydia trachomatis, which identified several new proteins that are translocated during infection (I. Yanatori, K. Miura, Y. S. Chen, R. H. Valdivia, F. Kishi, J Bacteriol 203:e00511-20, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00511-20). More broadly, they demonstrate how new genetic approaches in C. trachomatis can be used to characterize the virulence factors of other Chlamydia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppressing cytokine responses has frequently been shown to have promising therapeutic effects for many chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the severe side effects associated with the long-term use of current treatments, such as allergic reactions and increased risk of stroke, have focused attention towards the targeting of intracellular signaling mechanisms, such as NF-κB, that regulate inflammation. We synthesized a series of non-natural aurone derivatives and investigated their ability to suppress pro-inflammatory signaling in human monocyte (THP-1) and murine macrophage-like (RAW 267.4) cell lines. One of these derivatives, (Z)-2-((5-(hydroxymethyl) furan-2-yl) methylene) benzofuran-3(2H)-one (aurone 1), was found to inhibit LPS-induced secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor-necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-8 by THP-1 cells. To investigate the mechanism, we probed the effect of aurone 1 on LPS-induced MAPK and NF-κB signaling in both THP-1 and RAW264.7. While aurone 1 pre-treatment had no effect on the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, or p38 MAPK, it strongly suppressed activation of IKK-β, as indicated by attenuation of Ser176/180 phosphorylation, resulting in decreased phosphorylation of p65 (ser536) as well as phosphorylation (ser32) and degradation of IκBα. Consistent with this, aurone 1 significantly reduced LPS-stimulated nuclear translocation of p65-containing NF-κB transcription factors and expression of an mCherry reporter of TNFα gene transactivation in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of TNFα expression at the transcription level was also demonstrated in THP-1 by qRT-PCR. In addition to its effects on cytokine expression, aurone 1 pre-treatment decreased expression of iNOS, a bona fide NF-κB target gene and marker of macrophage M1 polarization, resulting in decreased NO production in RAW264.7 cells. Together, these data indicate that aurone 1 may have the potential to function as a pharmacological agent for the treatment of chronic inflammation disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies examining career satisfaction of biomedical scientists are limited, especially in the context of prior postdoctoral training. Here we focused on career satisfaction defined as satisfaction with one’s career trajectory and perceived salary competitiveness among a predominantly Ph.D.-trained population of scientists who completed cancer prevention-related postdoctoral training between 1987–2011. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) alumni (n = 114), and previous recipients of NCI-sponsored Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA/F32) postdoctoral fellowships (n = 140) completed online surveys. Associations of career satisfaction and perception of salary competitiveness with demographic, training, and employment-related factors were examined using logistic regression. Overall, 61% reported high levels of satisfaction with their career trajectory to-date. Higher salary (odds ratio [OR] = 2.86, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.07–7.69) and having more leadership roles (OR = 2.26, 95% CI:1.04–4.90) were independently associated with higher career satisfaction. Persons with race/ethnicity other than white (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20–0.82) or age ≥ 50 (OR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.17–0.94) had lower career satisfaction levels. There were no statistically significant differences in career satisfaction levels by gender, scientific discipline, or employment sector. 74% perceived their current salary as competitive, but persons with 5–9, or ≥10 years in their current position reported lower levels (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.65; and OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.16–0.87, respectively), as did individuals in government positions (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.11–0.98). These data add to the understanding of career satisfaction of those with advanced training in biomedical research by examining these measures in relation to prior postdoctoral research training and across multiple career sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the career paths of alumni from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP), a structured in-house postdoctoral training program of 3–4 years duration, and specifically what proportion of the alumni were currently performing cancer prevention-related activities. The analyses here included 119 CPFP alumni and 85 unsuccessful CPFP applicants, all of whom completed postdoctoral training between 1987–2011 and are currently employed. Postdoctoral training experiences and current career outcomes data were collected via online surveys. Differences between groups were assessed using chi-square and Fisher’s exact test p-values and subsequent regression analyses adjusted for differences between the groups. Compared to 15.3% of unsuccessful CPFP applicants, 52.1% of CPFP alumni (odds ratio [OR] = 4.99, 95% confidence interval [95% CI): 1.91–13.0) were currently spending the majority of their time working in cancer prevention. Among those doing any cancer prevention-focused work, 54.3% of CPFP alumni spent the majority of their time performing cancer prevention research activities when compared to 25.5% of unsuccessful applicants (OR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.38–13.2). In addition to the independent effect of the NCI CPFP, scientific discipline, and employment sector were also associated with currently working in cancer prevention and involvement in cancer prevention research-related activities. These results from a structured postdoctoral training program are relevant not only to the cancer prevention community but also to those interested in evaluating alignment of postdoctoral training programs with available and desired career paths more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The news media plays an important role in agenda setting and framing of stories about tobacco control. The purpose of this study was to examine newspaper, newswire and television coverage of tobacco issues in the USA over a 7-year period. Methods Analyses of 2004-2010 news media surveillance system data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health, based on content analysis and quantitative methods. Information on extent of news coverage, and types of tobacco-related themes, were examined from articles in 10 newspapers and 2 major newswires, as well as transcripts from 6 national television networks. Results The overall extent of newspaper, newswire and television stories about tobacco, and level of coverage by specific media outlets, varied over time, especially for newspapers. Nevertheless, there was an average of 3 newspaper stories, 4 newswire stories, and 1 television tobacco-related story each day. Television stories were more likely to contain cessation/addiction or health effects/statistics themes and less likely to contain secondhand smoke or policy/regulation themes than newspaper/newswire stories. There was more variation in the choice of tobacco theme among individual newspapers/newswires than television media outlets. Conclusions News coverage of tobacco in the USA was relatively constant from 2004 to 2010. Audiences were more likely to be exposed to different tobacco themes in newspapers/newswires than on television. Tracking information about tobacco news stories can be used by advocates, programs and others for planning and evaluation, and by researchers for hypothesis generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compelling evidence indicates that two autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease genes, PINK1 (PARK6) and Parkin (PARK2), cooperate to mediate the autophagic clearance of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy). Mutations in the F-box domain-containing protein Fbxo7 (encoded by PARK15) also cause early-onset autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease, by an unknown mechanism. Here we show that Fbxo7 participates in mitochondrial maintenance through direct interaction with PINK1 and Parkin and acts in Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Cells with reduced Fbxo7 expression showed deficiencies in translocation of Parkin to mitochondria, ubiquitination of mitofusin 1 and mitophagy. In Drosophila, ectopic overexpression of Fbxo7 rescued loss of Parkin, supporting a functional relationship between the two proteins. Parkinson's disease-causing mutations in Fbxo7 interfered with this process, emphasizing the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Our goal was to provide current estimates of alcohol-attributable cancer mortality and years of potential life lost (YPLL) in the United States. Methods. We used 2 methods to calculate population-attributable fractions. We based relative risks on meta-analyses published since 2000, and adult alcohol consumption on data from the 2009 Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System,2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and 2009-2010 National Alcohol Survey. Results. Alcohol consumption resulted in an estimated 18 200 to 21 300 cancer deaths, or 3.2% to 3.7% of all US cancer deaths. The majority of alcohol attributable female cancer deaths were from breast cancer (56% to 66%), whereas upper airway and esophageal cancer deaths were more common among men (53% to 71%). Alcohol-attributable cancers resulted in 17.0 to 19.1YPLL for each death. Daily consumption of up to 20 grams of alcohol (£ 1.5drinks) accounted for 26% to 35% of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths. Conclusions. Alcohol remains a major contributor to cancer mortality and YPLL. Higher consumption increases risk but there is no safe threshold for alcohol and cancer risk. Reducing alcohol consumption is an important and underemphasized cancer prevention strategy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the influence of press outreach on news media coverage of tobacco prevention and control, with particular focus on outreach initiatives by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office on Smoking and Health (CDC/OSH) to promote tobacco news stories in U.S. newspapers. Researchers found that the tobacco issues receiving the most coverage included youth smoking, health impacts, and disparities, and that outreach had a generally positive impact on media interest.

Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiotas are associated with reproductive health and STI resistance in women, whereas altered microbiotas are associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), STI risk and poor reproductive outcomes. Putative vaginal taxa have been observed in male first-catch urine, urethral swab and coronal sulcus (CS) specimens but the significance of these observations is unclear. We used 16 S rRNA sequencing to characterize the microbiota of the CS and urine collected from 18 adolescent men over three consecutive months. CS microbiotas of most participants were more stable than their urine microbiotas and the composition of CS microbiotas were strongly influenced by circumcision. BV-associated taxa, including Atopobium, Megasphaera, Mobiluncus, Prevotella and Gemella, were detected in CS specimens from sexually experienced and inexperienced participants. In contrast, urine primarily contained taxa that were not abundant in CS specimens. Lactobacilllus and Streptococcus were major urine taxa but their abundance was inversely correlated. In contrast, Sneathia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma were only found in urine from sexually active participants. Thus, the CS and urine support stable and distinct bacterial communities. Finally, our results suggest that the penis and the urethra can be colonized by a variety of BV-associated taxa and that some of these colonizations result from partnered sexual activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligases are crucial regulators of cell cycle progression. As the F-box protein is the substrate-specify- ing subunit of this family of ligases, their availability dictates the timing and the location of the ubiquitination of substrates. We report here our investigation into the regulation of the localiza- tion of F-box proteins, in particular Fbxo7, whose mislocaliza- tion is associated with human disease. We identified a motif in Fbxo7 that we have characterized as a functional leucine-rich nuclear export sequence (NES), and which allowed binding to the nuclear export protein, exportin 1 (CRM1). Unusually, the NES was embedded within the F-box domain, which is bound by Skpl and enables the F-box protein to form part of an E3 ubiq- uitin ligase. The NES of Fbxo7 controlled its localization and was conserved in Fbxo7 homologues in other species. Skpl binding prevented Fbxo7 from contacting CRM1. We propose that this competitive binding allowed Fbxo7 to accumulate within the nucleus starting at the GuS transition. More than ten other F-box proteins also contain an NES at the same location in their F-box domains, indicating that this competitive binding mechanism may contribute to the regulation of a sixth of the known F-box proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urine is the CDC-recommended specimen for STI testing. It was unknown if the bacterial communities (microbiomes) in urine reflected those in the distal male urethra. We compared microbiomes of 32 paired urine and urethral swab specimens obtained from adult men attending an STD clinic, by 16S rRNA PCR and deep pyrosequencing. Microbiomes of urine and swabs were remarkably similar, regardless of STI status of the subjects. Thus, urine can be used to characterize urethral microbiomes when swabs are undesirable, such as in population-based studies of the urethral microbiome or where multiple sampling of participants is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Binge drinking accounts for more than half of the 79,000 deaths due to excessive drinking in the U.S. each year. In 2006, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) lowered the threshold for defining binge drinking among women from ≥5 drinks to ≥4 drinks per occasion, in accordance with national recommendations.Purpose: To assess changes in binge-drinking prevalence among women.Methods: The relative and absolute change in binge drinking among U.S. adult women was assessed using pooled BRFSS data from the 2 years before (2004-2005) and after (2006-2007) the implementation of the new gender-specific definition. Analyses were conducted in 2008-2009.Results: Binge-drinking prevalence among women increased 2.6 percentage points (from 7.3% in 2004-2005 to 9.9% in 2006-2007), a 35.6% relative increase. The percentage of women who reported consuming exactly 4 drinks in 2006 (3.6%) was similar to the increase in the prevalence of binge drinking among women that was observed from 2005 to 2006 (absolute change=2.9 percentage points).Conclusions: The new gender-specific definition of binge drinking significantly increased the identification of women drinking at dangerous levels. The change in prevalence among women was primarily due to the change in the definition and not to actual changes in drinking behavior. The new gender-specific definition of binge drinking can increase the usefulness of this measure for public health surveillance and support the planning and implementation of effective prevention strategies (e.g., increasing alcohol excise taxes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The microbiome of the male urogenital tract is poorly described but it has been suggested that bacterial colonization of the male urethra might impact risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Previous cultivation-dependent studies showed that a variety of non-pathogenic bacteria colonize the urethra but did not thoroughly characterize these microbiomes or establish links between the compositions of urethral microbiomes and STI. Methodology/Findings: Here, we used 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing to identify bacteria in urine specimens collected from men who lacked symptoms of urethral inflammation but who differed in status for STI. All of the urine samples contained multiple bacterial genera and many contained taxa that colonize the human vagina. Uncultivated bacteria associated with female genital tract pathology were abundant in specimens from men who had STI. Conclusions: Urine microbiomes from men with STI were dominated by fastidious, anaerobic and uncultivated bacteria. The same taxa were rare in STI negative individuals. Our findings suggest that the composition of male urine microbiomes is related to STI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Assess long-term trends of the correlation between alcohol sales data and survey data. Design Analyses of state alcohol consumption data from the US Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System based on sales, tax receipts or alcohol shipments. Cross-sectional, state annual estimates of alcohol-related measures for adults from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System using telephone surveys. Setting United States. Participants State alcohol tax authorities, alcohol vendors, alcohol industry (sales data) and randomly selected adults aged ≥ 18 years 1993–2006 (survey data). Measurements State-level per capita annual alcohol consumption estimates from sales data. Self-reported alcohol consumption, current drinking, heavy drinking, binge drinking and alcohol-impaired driving from surveys. Correlation coefficients were calculated using linear regression models. Findings State survey estimates of consumption accounted for a median of 22% to 32% of state sales data across years. Nevertheless, state consumption estimates from both sources were strongly correlated with annual r-values ranging from 0.55–0.71. State sales data had moderate-to-strong correlations with survey estimates of current drinking, heavy drinking and binge drinking (range of r-values across years: 0.57–0.65; 0.33–0.70 and 0.45–0.61, respectively), but a weaker correlation with alcohol-impaired driving (range of r-values: 0.24–0.56). There were no trends in the magnitude of correlation coefficients. Conclusions Although state surveys substantially underestimated alcohol consumption, the consistency of the strength of the association between sales consumption and survey data for most alcohol measures suggest both data sources continue to provide valuable information. These findings support and extend the distribution of consumption model and single distribution theory, suggesting that both sales and survey data are useful for monitoring population changes in alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks during a drinking occasion) is responsible for more than half of the 79,000 annual deaths due to excessive drinking in the U.S. Although studies show a strong dose–response relationship between the intensity of binge drinking (i.e., the number of drinks consumed per binge episode) and adverse outcomes, there are no population-based studies assessing this measure. Purpose: This study aims to analyze population-based data from a module of questions on binge drinking among U.S. adults to assess the number of drinks consumed by binge drinkers and the associated independent risk factors for consuming more drinks. Methods: Data were analyzed from 14,143 adult binge drinkers who responded to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System binge drinking module in 2003 and 2004. Total drinks were calculated by summing the total number of beer, wine, and liquor-containing drinks consumed during a respondents'' most recent binge drinking episode. Results: Binge drinkers consumed an average of 8.0 drinks (median 6) during their most recent binge drinking episode; 70.0% of binge drinkers consumed six or more drinks, and 38.4% consumed eight or more drinks. Men consumed more drinks during their last binge episode than women (M=8.3 vs 7.0, median=7 vs 6), and those aged 18–34 years consumed more drinks than those aged >34 years for both men and women. Independent risk factors for consuming eight or more drinks included being male; being aged <35 years; being other than white race/ethnicity; having less education; not being married; binge drinking three or more times in the past 30 days; and drinking mostly beer. Conclusions: Most adult binge drinkers drink in excess of the five-drink threshold defining this risky behavior. The intensity of binge drinking should be monitored regularly by health agencies to improve surveillance and to better assess the impact of interventions designed to reduce binge drinking and its consequences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Although binge drinking is strongly associated with alcohol-impaired driving, little is known about the prevalence of or risk factors for driving after binge drinking. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of, and risk factors for, driving during or shortly after a specific binge drinking episode. Methods: The data were analyzed in 2007 and 2008 from 14,085 adults from 13 states in 2003 and 14 states in 2004 who reported binge drinking and answered an additional series of questions about binge drinking behaviors as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Binge drinking was defined as the consumption of five or more drinks during a drinking occasion. Results: Overall, 11.9% of binge drinkers drove during or within 2 hours of their most recent binge drinking episode. Those drinking in licensed establishments (bars, clubs, and restaurants) accounted for 54.3% of these driving episodes. Significant independent risk factors for driving after binge drinking included male gender (AOR=1.75); being aged 35–54 or ≥55 years compared to 18–34 years (AOR=1.58 and 2.37, respectively); and drinking in bars or clubs compared to drinking in the respondent''s home (AOR=7.81). Drivers who drank most of their alcohol in licensed establishments consumed an average of 8.1 drinks, and 25.7% of them consumed ≥10 drinks. Conclusions: Because binge drinking and subsequent driving were common in establishments licensed to sell alcohol, and because licensing is conditional on responsible beverage service practices (i.e., not selling to intoxicated people), efforts to prevent impaired driving should focus on enforcing responsible beverage service in licensed establishments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Underage drinking, particularly binge drinking, is an important public health problem that results in substantial premature mortality and morbidity. Little is known about the potential influence of the alcohol-use behaviors of adults on youth alcohol use at a population level. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of alcohol-use behaviors among youth with those of adults at a population level. Methods: Data were analyzed in 2007 and 2008, using biennial 1993–2005 data from state school-based Youth Risk Behavior Surveys of students in grades 9–12, and from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for adults aged ≥18 years. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to compare state prevalence estimates for youth with those of adults for several alcohol-use measures. Results: Overall and subgroup-specific state youth estimates of current drinking and binge drinking were generally moderately to strongly correlated with adult alcohol use (range of r -values for pooled estimates across all years: 0.35–0.68 for current drinking [p<0.01 for all correlations]; 0.24–0.60 for binge drinking [p<0.01 for all correlations]) and with youth and adult drinking-and-driving behaviors (range of r-values for pooled estimates: 0.12–0.52, p<0.01 for all but one correlation). Correlation coefficients were generally higher for girls with women and for youth with younger adults aged 18–34 years. The use of alcohol by youth before they were aged 13 years was not correlated with adult alcohol-use measures, and most youth alcohol-use measures were not correlated with adult heavy-alcohol use. Conclusions: Most state youth alcohol-use estimates were correlated with state adult estimates. These findings have implications for underage-drinking control strategies and suggest that efforts to address this problem need to be targeted on a broader societal level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives. We sought to describe long-term adolescent and young adult smoking trends and patterns. Methods. We analyzed adolescent data from Monitoring the Future, 1976 to 2005, and young adult (aged 18-24 years) data from the National Health Interview Survey, 1974 to 2005, overall and in subpopulations to identify trends in current cigarette smoking prevalence. Results. Five metapatterns emerged: we found (1) a large increase and subsequent decrease in overall smoking over the past 15 years, (2) a steep decline in smoking among Blacks through the early 1990s, (3) a gender gap reversal among older adolescents and young adults who smoked over the past 15 years, (4) similar trends in smoking for most subgroups since the early 1990s, and (5) a large decline in smoking among young adults with less than a high school education. Conclusions. Long-term patterns for adolescent and young adult cigarette smoking were decidedly nonlinear, and we found evidence of a cohort effect among young adults. Continued strong efforts and a long-term societal commitment to tobacco use prevention are needed, given the unprecedented declines in smoking among most subpopulations since the mid- to late 1990s. (Am J Public Health. 2008;98:905-915. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.115931) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We identified the mass media channels that reach the most cigarette smokers in an attempt to more effectively target smoking cessation messages. Methods. Reach estimates and index scores for smokers were taken from 2002-2003 ConsumerStyles and HealthStyles national surveys of adults (N = 11660) to estimate overall and demographic-specific exposure measures for television, radio, newspapers, and magazines. Results. Smokers viewed more television, listened to more radio, and read fewer magazines and newspapers than did nonsmokers. Nearly one third of smokers were regular daytime or late-night television viewers. Selected cable television networks (USA, Lifetime, and Discovery Channel) and selected radio genres, such as classic rock and country, had high reach and were cost-efficient channels for targeting smokers. Conclusions. Certain mass media channels offer efficient opportunities to target smoking cessation messages so they reach relatively large audiences of smokers at relatively low cost. The approach used in this study can be applied to other types of health risk factors to improve health communication planning and increase efficiency of program media expenditures. (Am J Public Health. 2008;98:536-542. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.090340) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlamydia trachomatis and C. muridarum, human and mouse pathogens, respectively, share more than 99% of open reading frames (ORFs) but differ in a cytotoxin locus. Presence or absence of cytotoxin gene(s) in these strains correlates with their ability to grow in IFN-γ treated mouse cells. Growth of toxin-positive C. muridarum is not affected in IFN-γ treated cells, whereas growth of toxin-negative C. trachomatis is inhibited. We previously reported that this difference in IFN-γ sensitivity is important to the in vivo infection tropism of these pathogens. Here we describe a phenotypic rescue assay that utilizes C. muridarum gamma irradiated killed elementary bodies (iEB) to rescue C. trachomatis infectivity in IFN-γ treated mouse cells. Rescue by iEB was temporal, maximal early post infection, directly related to multiplicity of iEB infection, and was independent of de novo chlamydial transcription. Lastly, C. muridarum iEB vacuoles and C. trachomatis inclusions were not fusogenic, suggesting the factor(s) responsible for rescue was secreted or exposed to the cytosol where it inactivated IFN-γ induced effectors. Chlamydial phenotypic rescue may have broader utility for the study of other EB associated virulence factors that function early in the interaction of chlamydiae with host cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially reduced exposure products (PREPs) have continued to enter the market during the 1990s and first part of the 21st century. Attempts by the tobacco industry to develop and market products with implied reductions in adverse health effects (i.e., harm reduction) are not new. Over the last half of the 20th century, the tobacco industry developed and marketed several products that purported to reduce the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes. Among these were filtered cigarettes in the 1950s and light and ultra-light cigarettes in the 1970s and 1980s. This review summarizes published and unpublished research that is directly relevant to the marketing, advertising, and communication about PREPs. The marketing strategies for these new products do not appear to differ from those used by the tobacco industry for light and ultra-light cigarettes. Although smokers report not using the new products in large numbers because of dissatisfaction with taste, they are interested in using products with reduced risk. Despite the absence of explicit health claims by the industry for PREPs, many smokers believe that these products are safer based on the advertising claims of reduced exposure and a belief that claims are approved by the government. No data are available to indicate that PREPs are useful for prevention or cessation of smoking, nor does specific research exist to suggest what health communication messages will provide smokers with accurate information about these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women have used hormone therapy (HT) to relieve menopausal symptoms for decades. Major studies published in JAMA in July 2002 demonstrated adverse health effects from hormone therapy, and the National Institutes of Health halted the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial several years early. We conducted a content analysis of 10 U.S. newspapers in July and August 2002 to examine the role of reporter sex on news coverage on HT. We found substantial sex differences in reporting about HT. Female reporters were much more likely than male reporters to include a self-help frame (66.7% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.002). Female reporters were also much more likely to use women in the public as sources in HT-related articles (33.9% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.039). Reporter sex may play a role in the selection and content of health news articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two of the major goals of tobacco prevention and control activities are to change social norms and influence policy. The news media can play an important role for achieving both goals. Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health created a surveillance system to track tobacco stories in the news media beginning in 2004. The system was developed based on reviewing lessons from previous news media tracking efforts, including defining the purpose of the system, using a parsimonious approach to sample media outlets, and attending to data-quality issues. Tobacco news stories were systematically identified and coded from ten newspapers, four news wire services, and seven national television networks. Results: Findings indicated that from January 2004 through June 2005, tobacco-related stories were in selected major newspapers virtually every day. More than 70% of all newspaper stories contained one of only three main story themes: policy or regulation (31.0%), legal issues (23.8%), or health effects or statistics (18.1%). Television news stories on tobacco were much less common, but increased substantially during the first 6 months of 2005 compared to 2004. Health effects/statistics (50.5%) were the dominant theme for television, with policy/regulation a distant second (19.5%). Conclusions: Tobacco-related media coverage can be systematically tracked and characterized. These findings may have value to public health researchers and policymakers who wish to evaluate efforts to curb tobacco-related disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The concepts of dissemination can be applied to the international challenges of promoting physical activity. With the 2004 release of the World Health Organization Global Strategy for Diet and Physical Activity, risk factor reduction and noncommunicable disease control are of global health interest. A six-step framework is proposed for understanding the attributes of successful international dissemination. These include the development of clear and evidence based resources or innovations, defining the target audience, selecting communication channels, engaging decision makers, and developing evaluation frameworks around dissemination. Four case studies to illustrate aspects of the framework are presented: (1) learning from dissemination of effective tobacco control initiatives, (2) the experience of developing global measures and surveillance systems for physical activity, (3) case study of disseminating the Agita program—an effective community wide intervention, and (4) disseminating the World Health Organization Global Strategy on Diet and Physical Activity. Substantial similarities across the experiences described in these case studies suggest underlying common themes for international dissemination, but developing a stronger evidence base for dissemination efforts remains a research priority. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives. Smokeless tobacco has many adverse health effects. We analyzed long-term national trends in smokeless tobacco use. Methods. We used 1987 to 2000 National Health Interview Survey data for adults aged 18 years and older, 1986 to 2003 data from Monitoring the Future surveys of adolescents, and 1991 to 2003 data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey for 9th- to 12th-grade students to examine overall and demographic-specific trends. Results. Smokeless tobacco use among adult and adolescent females was low and showed little change. Smokeless tobacco use among men declined slowly (relative decline = 26%), with the largest declines among those aged 18 to 24 years or 65 years and older, Blacks, residents of the South, and persons in more rural areas. Overall and demographic-specific data for adolescent boys indicate that smokeless tobacco use increased for 12th-grade students from 1986 until the early 1990s, but has subsequently declined rapidly in all grades since then (range of relative overall declines=43% to 48%). Conclusions. Smokeless tobacco use has declined sharply, especially among adolescent boys. Ongoing prevention and cessation efforts are needed to continue this trend. (Am J Public Health. 2006;96:897-905.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The context in which patients consume health information has changed dramatically with diffusion of the Internet, advances in telemedicine, and changes in media health coverage. The objective of this study was to provide nationally representative estimates for health-related uses of the Internet, level of trust in health information sources, and preferences for cancer information sources. Methods Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey were used. A total of 6369 persons 18 years or older were studied. The main outcome measures were online health activities, levels of trust, and source preference. Results Analyses indicated that 63.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.7%-64.3%) of the US adult population in 2003 reported ever going online, with 63.7% (95% CI, 61.7%-65.8%) of the online population having looked for health information for themselves or others at least once in the previous 12 months. Despite newly available communication channels, physicians remained the most highly trusted information source to patients, with 62.4% (95% CI, 60.8%-64.0%) of adults expressing a lot of trust in their physicians. When asked where they preferred going for specific health information, 49.5% (95% CI, 48.1%-50.8%) reported wanting to go to their physicians first. When asked where they actually went, 48.6% (95% CI, 46.1%-51.0%) reported going online first, with only 10.9% (95% CI, 9.5%-12.3%) going to their physicians first. Conclusion The Health Information National Trends Survey data portray a tectonic shift in the ways in which patients consume health and medical information, with more patients looking for information online before talking with their physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular pathogens that can exhibit a broad host range in infection tropism despite maintaining near genomic identity. Here, we have investigated the molecular basis for this unique host-pathogen relationship. We show that human and murine chlamydial infection tropism is linked to unique host and pathogen genes that have coevolved in response to host immunity. This intimate host-pathogen niche revolves around a restricted repertoire of host species-specific IFN-&#x03B3-mediated effector responses and chlamydial virulence factors capable of inhibiting these effector mechanisms. In human epithelial cells, IFN-&#x03B3 induces indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression that inhibits chlamydial growth by depleting host tryptophan pools. Human chlamydial strains, but not the mouse strain, avoid this response by the production of tryptophan synthase that rescues them from tryptophan starvation. Conversely, in murine epithelial cells IFN-y induces expression of p47 GTPases, but not indoleamine 2,3- dioxygenase. One of these p47 GTPases (ligpl) was shown by small interfering RNA silencing experiments to specifically inhibit human strains, but not the mouse strain. Like human strains and their host cells, the murine strain has coevolved with its murine host by producing a large toxin possessing YopT homology, possibly to circumvent host GTPases. Collectively, our findings show chlamydial host infection tropism is determined by IFN-&#x03B3-mediated immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We analyzed state-specific uninsurance trends among US adults aged 18 to 64 years. Methods. We used logistic regression models to examine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for uninsurance from 1992 to 2001 in 47 states. Results. Overall, uninsurance rates increased in 35 states and remained unchanged in 12 states. Increases were observed among people aged 30 to 49 years (in 34 states) and 50 to 64 years (in 24 states), and increases were also observed among individuals at middle and low income levels (in 39 states and 19 states, respectively), individuals employed for wages (in 33 states), and the self-employed (in 18 states). Conclusions. Among adults aged 18-64, rates of uninsurance increased in most states from 1992 through 2001. Decreased availability of employer-sponsored health insurance, rising health care costs, and state fiscal crises are likely to worsen the growing uninsurance problem. (Am J Public Health. 2004;94:1992-1997). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We estimated adult binge drinking prevalence in US metropolitan areas. Methods. We analyzed 1997 and 1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 120 metropolitan areas in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Results. The prevalence of binge drinking varied substantially across metropolitan areas, from 4.1% in Chattanooga, Tenn, to 23.9% in San Antonio, Tex, (median=14.5%). Seventeen of the 20 metropolitan areas with the highest estimates were located in the upper Midwest, Texas, and Nevada. In 13 of these areas, at least one third of persons aged 18 to 34 years were binge drinkers. There were significant intrastate differences for binge drinking among metropolitan areas in New York, Tennessee, and Utah. Conclusions. Metropolitan-area estimates can be used to guide local efforts to reduce binge drinking. (Am J Public Health. 2004;94:663-671) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Barriers to cancer screening may change over time as screening becomes more widespread.Methods. Using 1987, 1992, and 2000 National Health Interview Survey data, we examined population-wide trends in barriers to Pap, mammography, and colorectal screening (n =66,452).Results. Lack of awareness was the most common barrier for all screening tests; it decreased by 13.5 percentage points for mammography and by 4.6 percentage points for colorectal screening, but increased by 3.0 percentage points for Pap test from 1987 to 2000. Decreases in not recommended by a doctor were observed for mammography (from 20.5% to 3.7%) and colorectal screening (from 22.3% to 14.2%). Examination of trends in barriers among sociodemographic and health care access subgroups revealed disparities for each screening test.Conclusions. Although population-wide progress has been made in reducing barriers to screening, lack of awareness, and not recommended by a doctor remain important barriers, especially among traditionally underserved populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to compare national estimates from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Methods. The authors compared data from the 2 surveys on smoking, height, weight, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, immunization, lack of insurance coverage, cost as a barrier to medical care, and health status. Results. Overall national estimates were similar for 13 of the 14 measures examined. Small differences according to demographic characteristics were found for height and body mass index, with larger differences for health status. Conclusions. Although estimates differed within subgroups, the BRFSS provided national estimates comparable to those of the NHIS. BRFSS national data could provide rapidly available information to guide national policy and program decisions. (Am J Public Health. 2003:93:1335-1341) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectivesTo provide estimates of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening for metropolitan areas in the United States.: MethodsBehavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 1997 to 1999 were reweighted and analyzed for 69 U.S. metropolitan areas for the receipt of a Papanicolaou (Pap) test (ages ≥18 years); mammography (ages ≥40 years); fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy (ages ≥50 years). Stratified analyses by demographics were performed for 25 metropolitan areas with populations of ≥1.5 million.: ResultsMetropolitan estimates ranged from 64.6% to 82.0% for mammography and from 77.2% to 91.7% for Pap tests. There was much greater variability in estimates for colorectal cancer screening, with a 3.6-fold difference in the range of estimates for fecal occult blood testing (9.9% to 35.2%) and a 2.5-fold difference for sigmoidoscopy (17.3% to 43.3%). In the 25 largest areas, prevalence of cancer screening was generally lower for persons with a high school education or less and for those without health insurance. Compared with women aged 50 to 64 years, mammography estimates were lower for women aged 40 to 49 years in 13 of the 25 metropolitan areas. Pap testing was less common among women aged ≥65 years, and colorectal cancer screening was less common for persons aged 50 to 64 years.: ConclusionsEstimates of cancer screening varied substantially across metropolitan areas. Increased efforts to improve cancer screening are needed in many urban areas, especially for colorectal cancer screening. The BRFSS is a useful, inexpensive, and timely resource for providing metropolitan-area cancer screening estimates and may be used in the future to guide local or county-level screening efforts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the contribution of membrane-binding and enzymatic domains of penicillin binding protein (PBP). Mutagenesis of the carboxy terminus of PBP; Function of the carboxy-terminal amphiphatic helix; Identification of the terminal membrane anchor sequences of PBP.

Context: Monitoring trends is essential for evaluating past activities and guiding current preventive health program and policy efforts. Although tracking progress toward national health goals is helpful, use of national estimates is limited because most preventive health care activities, policies, and other efforts occur at the state or community level. There may be important state trends that are obscured by national data. Objective: To estimate state-specific trends for 5 health risk factors and 6 clinical preventive services. Design: Telephone surveys were conducted from 1991 through 2000 as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Setting and Participants: Randomly selected adults aged 18 years or older from 49 US states. Annual state sample sizes ranged from 1188 to 7543. Main Outcome Measures: Statistically significant changes (P<.01) in state prevalences of cigarette smoking, binge alcohol use, physical inactivity, obesity, safety belt use, and mammography; screening for cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and cholesterol levels; and receipt of influenza and pneumococcal disease vaccination. Results: There were statistically significant increases in safety belt use for 39 of 47 states and receipt of mammography in the past 2 years for women aged 40 years or older for 43 of 47 states. For persons aged 65 years or older, there were increases in receipt of influenza vaccination for 44 of 49 states and ever receiving pneumococcal vaccination for 48 of 49 states. State trends were mixed for binge alcohol use (increasing in 19 of 47 states and declining in 3), physical inactivity (increasing in 3 of 48 states and declining in 11), and cholesterol screening (increasing in 13 of 47 states and decreasing in 5). Obesity increased in all states and smoking increased in 14 of 47 states (declining only in Minnesota). Cervical cancer screening increased in 8 of 48 states and colorectal cancer screening increased in 13 of 49 states. New York experienced... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the contribution of penicillin binding proteins (PBP) and DD-carboxypeptidase penicillin for the maintenance of cell shape in Escherichia coli. Mutant combinations and abnormal morphology of PBP; Effects on proteins on mutant morphology; Roles of low-molecular-weight PBP.

Provides information on a study which determined whether individuals' reports about their health care insurance could be confirmed by their health insurers. Methodology; Results; Discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that deletion of the penicillin binding protein (PBP) 5 creates Escherichia coli mutants with cell walls of abnormal diameter and contour, in the absence of multiple low-molecular-weight PBP. Significant role of PBP 5 in the genesis and/or maintenance of bacterial shape.

Objectives. This study examined trends in perceived cost as a barrier to medical care. Methods. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used to analyze monthly telephone survey data from 45 states. Results. Overall, the percentage of persons perceiving cost as a barrier to medical care increased from 1991 until early 1993 and then declined to baseline values in late 1996. Perceived cost was a greater barrier in 1996 than in 1991 for persons with low incomes and for those who were unemployed and uninsured. For self-employed persons, percentages increased until mid-1993 and then remained constant. Conclusions. Further efforts are needed to improve access to medical care for socially disadvantaged populations. (Am J Public Health. 1999;89: 1410-1413) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information about concept of "inference to the best explanation" (IBE) given by philosophers Fred Dretske, Gilbert Harman and Peter Lipton. They argue that man's inductive practices ought to track his intuitions about explanatory relevance. In particular, Dretske, Harman and Lipton argue that only explanatory generalizations should be confirmed by their logically positive instances. The compatibility of IBE and Bayesianism has not been widely discussed in the confirmation literature. This is puzzling for many reasons including the epistemological importance that many have attached to IBE and the predominance of Bayesian epistemology within the philosophy of science.

Compares health behavior variables for with or without telephones in the United States, to measure the potential impact of telephone coverage on estimates from telephone surveys. Differences in health indicators; Effects of telephone noncoverage.

Objectives. This study examined trends in safety belt use by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and type of safety belt law. Methods. We analyzed Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data on safety belt use from 33 states for 1987 through 1993 and used linear regression models to determine trends in prevalence. Results. Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics had the highest safety belt use among racial/ethnic groups. Prevalence varied little from age 25 through 64 years in all years, but averaged 25 percentage points higher in states with primary laws than in states with no belt laws. Overall safety belt use increased by an average of 2.7 ± 0.1 percentage points per year and varied little across most demographic groups, but there was no significant increase for Black males aged 18 through 29 years. Conclusions. The generally consistent increase in safety belt use across demographic groups is in sharp contrast to trends in other health-risk behaviors. States should enact primary safety belt laws and focus safety belt use efforts towards young Black males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Trends in smokeless tobacco use were examined for men in Indiana, Iowa, Montana, and West Virginia from 1988 through 1993, Methods. State survey data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed. Results. Demographic characteristics associated with smokeless tobacco use included age less than 35 years, a high school education or less, and rural residence. Overall, there was little change in smokeless tobacco use among men in these states (range = -0.4-0.4 percentage points annually); only West Virginia had a significant decline. Commons. Reasons for the overall lack of decline may include increased advertising and promotional expenditures or substitution of smokeless tobacco for cigarettes. Increased prevention and cessation efforts are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The purpose of this study was lo determine national trends in adolescent cigarette smoking prevalence. Methods. We conducted trend analyses based on 1974 through 1991 current smoking prevalence data among persons aged 12 through 19 years from the National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse, High School Seniors Surveys, and National Health Interview Surveys. Results. Overall smoking prevalence declined much more rapidly from 1974 through 1980 (1.9 percentage points annually among younger adolescents; the range among surveys of older adolescents was 0.2 to 2.0 percentage points annually) than from 1985 through 1991 (0 to 0.5 percentage points annually among all adolescents). Since 1980, smoking has generally declined at a slightly faster rate among older female adolescents than among male adolescents. Smoking among Black adolescents of all ages declined in nearly every survey population during each study period (range among surveys; 1974-1985 = 1.0 to 2.9 percentage points; 1985-1991 = 0.7 to 1.5 percentage points annually); for White adolescents, only minimal declines in smoking have occurred since 1985. Conclusions. Since 1974, major changes in adolescent smoking patterns have occurred, especially among Blacks. The overall slowing rate of decline in smoking prevalence since 1985 may indicate success of increased tobacco advertising and promotional activities targeted at adolescents or inadequate antitobacco education efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on research conducted on the impact of reform in the health care delivery on the public health system in the United States. Information on the sources of data employed; Reaction of the public to public health reform; What the focus of surveillance in public health is.

Offers results of a study, the objective of which was to examine statewide data on exposure of adults and children to loaded and unloaded household firearms, and to estimate the prevalence of firearm carrying among adults in Oregon. Design; Main outcome measures; Results; Conclusions.

Illustrates the positive relevance of the informational features of scientific theories on their levels of confirmation. Logical omniscience; Addition or subtraction of information from a theory; Scope of Bas Van Fraasen's argument.